Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday ordered people living around river banks and flood-prone areas of the state to relocate to higher grounds.
The Governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Youths and Special Duties, Mr Mika Amanokha, said this when he visited the flooded communities of Udaba, Ofukpo and Osomhegbe, in the Etsako-Central Local Government Area of the state.
He said the appeal for such people to move became necessary following the increasing level of flood water in the area, on a daily basis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the level of flood water in the area was increasing by the day and flooding the communities around.
Obaseki, who bemoaned the flooded houses and farm lands in the area, urged residents to relocate, so as to avoid further damage and casualties.
The governor said the visit was for an on-the-spot assessment and to sensitise the indigenes on the importance of relocating to safe areas.
Obaseki also visited the newly-constructed resettlement hostel built by the Federal Government at Ugbekpe-Ekperi, for flood relief and the rehabilitation of victims in the area.
He assured victims at the camp that the State Government would clean up the building, to make it habitable for them.
The Governor noted that the building can house several families affected by the flood in the local government area. (NAN)